In a recent appearance on The Big Podcast with Shaquille O’Neal, Mike Tyson shared an opinion about his career that caused a stir on social media.
For Tyson, there is no other heavyweight in boxing history who surpasses him, not even Muhammad Ali.
The conversation with former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal led to one of the most common debates among sports fans: who is the real GOAT of boxing?
Shaq began the conversation with a basketball question: “Who is the greatest in basketball history?” Tyson replied without hesitation: “I’m from Jordan“, the most common answer, as for many fans Michael Jordan has been the best basketball player in history.
Then came the key question: “And in boxing, who is the greatest of all time in heavyweight?” Tyson asked, with a smile that seemed to give away that he already knew what the answer would be. “Me,” he replied immediately, generating an immediate ovation from those present.
Tyson proclaims himself the best heavyweight boxer in history
The former world champion, known for his ferocity in the ring during the 1980s and 1990s, clarified that his statement was not the product of ego, but rather his perception of how he is viewed globally:
I’m not being egotistical… ask the world, not just one person. Ask ten. Ask the world
Who is the best heavyweight of all time?
With 37 consecutive victories in his career and a fortune that at one time exceeded $400 million, Tyson made it clear that he considers his legacy to be above that of Ali and any other heavyweight.
This statement contrasts with the widespread opinion that usually places Muhammad Ali as the greatest, not only for his boxing quality but also for his social and cultural impact.
However, Tyson insists that from a sporting and statistical point of view, his dominance in the ring is unparalleled.
In the interview, he also talked about his extravagance and eccentricities, such as having tigers and lions as pets, which caused such chaos in his house that he had to buy the house next door so that some of his pets could live there, something that left Shaq himself speechless, another magnate of the sporting world, showing that he has undoubtedly been one of the most eccentric figures in the world of boxing and sport in general.
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